Laconia-----John H. Merrill, Jr., 87, of 406 Court Street and formerly of 254 Sheridan Street, Lakeport, died at the St. Francis Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, on Sunday, March 11, 2012.
Mr. Merrill was born January 6, 1925 in Laconia, the son of John H. and Alice E. (Benson) Merrill. He lived in Chelmsford, Mass. before moving to Laconia eighty years ago. He attended Laconia High School, Class of 1944, and served in the U. S. Army for three years. He served in the 611th O.B.A.M. Battalion and also served in the 377th Infantry Regiment 95th Infantry Division during WWII. He had been employed by U. S. Plywood for thirty years before retiring in 1976. He was a Special Deputy Sheriff for twenty years for Belknap County, was Bailiff for the Belknap County Superior Court for ten years and was a Special Police Officer for the Belmont Police Department for two years.
Mr. Merrill was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars #15030 and the American Legion Wilkins-Smith Post #1. He was also was a member of AARP, SEA Retired Chapter #l, the N.H. Association of Chief of Police, the N.H. Association of Retired Law Enforcement Officers, Inc. and a member of the N.H. Sheriff’s Association. He was a Belknap County 4-H Leader, a founder of the Belknap County 4-H Drum & Bugle Corp and was a Little League Coach of the Coca Cola Team for several years.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-five years, Eleanor (Woodman) Merrill, of Laconia; a son & daughter-in-law, Bruce W. and Nancy Merrill, of Laconia; a daughter and son-in-law, Linnie M. and Steven Page, of Sandwich, N.H.; three grandchildren, Zachary S. Merrill of Providence, Rhode Island, Hillary Behnke of Riverside, California and Candice O’Clair of Drums, Pennsylvania; five great grandchildren; a sister, Donna Beaulier, and her husband, Richard, of Manchester, N.H.; two nephews and five nieces. In addition to his parents, Mr. Merrill was predeceased by a brother, L. Hiram Merrill, and by a sister, Dorothy Garver.
There will be no calling hours.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the family lot in Bayside Cemetery.
The family has requested no flowers. Donations may be made to the St. Francis Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 406 Court Street, Laconia, N. H. 03246
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.